Students at Janesville's Wilson Elementary School, 99 percent of whom receive free or reduced lunch, will also receive free school supplies and gym shoes thanks to donations from St. Paul's Lutheran Church and School.
Pastor Jason Schockman has covered almost a year's worth of goods for nearly every student there. The church leader says his congregation has worked hard to ensure students in the city's highest poverty are ready to learn. During his services Schockman says he'd pull out advertising inserts showing the latest back to school sales. He also encouraged parishioners to shop for the donations together.
The church is distributing the goods at a party Saturday held in a park, two blocks from the school.
Contributed by Beth Wheelock-WCLO